Identifying Problems and Solutions

Problem: There is a significantly larger number of men in the work fields of tech, and many women feel either intimidated, uncomfortable, and unwelcome to join these professions. Also, there is a general lack of female public figures/role models in tech.

Solution: Encouraging young girls that tech is a legitimate career path for women and encouraging men to be accepting of that and to treat female co-workers as equals.

#2:

Problem: The tech industry has created a culture that does not embrace diversity. There are specific preconceived notions that are instrumental to the way the industry operates that work when everyone in the system operates in a uniform fashion, but when that is challenged, the cultural groups becomes hostile to whomever has challenged it. Not always, but oftentimes, those who challenge the norms are women.

Solution: One or two or thre women will not change the entire industry, it takes initiative from within to change and encourage women and girls, and scope who don’t fit the typical mold to increase interest in participation.

#3:

Problem: The underlying concern in not just the fact that there aren’t enough women in tech, but that even those within this field feel like they are not accepted by the “bro culture” 100% of time and that they face hostility for trying to change it.

Solution: Discussions help (especially with getting young girls interested and spreading awareness) but we also need a movement that works within the culture to change the culture. Go beyond the stereotypical and segregation.

#4:

Problem: Women are told growing up that science, math, and tech are for men and then these ideas are reinforced by the underrepresentation and mistreatment of women in the field.

Solution: 1. Encourage girls to pursue tech. 2. Showcase women in tech, “Be what you can see.” 3. Change tech culture so that women can feel safe and valued in tech jobs.

#5:

Problem: Gender-based harassment; underrepresentation of women within the industry’ gender stereotypes’ the “macho” mindset in men in the industry

Solution: Attempts to “break” the stereotypes; place spotlight on awesome women in the industry; more representation of women; new ways to draw and keep women starting from a young age

#6:

Problem: I think the underlying problem is that the technology field is relatively new. Just like most other jobs where men have dominated, it’s taken time for the general assumption to be that women can do it, and do it well. It is not the norm yet.

Solution: I think that given this new generation of growing up with technology it will become the norm for girls to work in the field.

#7:

Problem: Underrepresentation of women, alienation/aggression from bro culture within tech, not enough encouragement growing up so many girls don’t see tech as an option for their future.

Solution: More programs specifically aimed at young girls to get them interested in tech, discussion and eradication of misogynistic bro culture within tech industry, more representation/more credit going to women who are in tech and are accomplishing great things that may be silenced by males in industry.

#8:

Problem: I think the problems lie in the perception of what people think of people in tech. There are geeks in tech, nerds in tech, hipsters in tech, and your average Joe. There are misunderstandings that people in tech are one way, non-social, awkward, extremely intelligent and mostly male. I think the issue has to do with the biological factors like being territorial or dominating and where men have claimed something they will do al they can to maintain that position of dominance. It seems into larger cultural themes like oppressing a whole people.

Solution: Education. Awareness. Transformed mindset.

#9:

Problem: The stereotype that computer science is for men. It creates two problems: less women get into tech because they think it’s for boys, and men are less friendly to women in tech because it has been a field dominated by men for so long.

Solution: Try to get young girls interested in tech. Young boys will see that computer science isn’t just for men at the same time.

#10:

Problem: Women are less interested – either they’re intimidated or apathetic I think this largely stems from the culture that men in tech are less sensitive and welcoming but also due to societal gender roles. Tech is perceived as “nerdy” and for “basement dwellers” or “hard”.

Solution: Younger children, boys and girls, should be encouraged to learn programming/gaming/STEM so that it becomes a normal thing for them when they grow up.

#11:

Problem: Women are not pursuing/staying in jobs in technology; women are not treated equally in these jobs

Solution: Working toward changing the stereotype of people that work in technology; encouraging women to pursue/explore/stay in fields of technology

#12:

Problem: Not enough women are interested in tech. The stereotypes ward off women: how they treat females, and the type of guys working there

Solution: Program and promoting women in tech. Time: like any career field – like history says, changes don’t happen overnight.

#13:

Problem: I think the lack of women in technology is a historical one. It can only be changed through the education of males and females in the subject. And it will take time. It poses a great threat to the equality (or semi-equality) that currently exists between men and women, and with the growth of technology most likely to take place in the future, this the lack of women in the industry could be detrimental to the feminist movement.

Solution: Time and education.

#14:

Problem: Women aren’t as encourage to go into STEM as men. There are essentially no role models for girls to follow. The “bro” environment in tech companies is uninviting.

Solution: Encourage women that they have the potential to succeed in STEM. Break male and female stereotypes involved in tech.

#15:

Problem: Gender norms that our culture is accustomed to, as well as how we raise/teach boys and girls differently (equal encouragement).

Solution: Classes in tech for girls and boys of all ages, starting from elementary schools. Also, get girls excited about tech, more likely to get involved/stay involved if interested.

#16

Problem: Because of the background and roots of the tech industry in an old male dominant Hobby, the culture that has developed along with the sector is largely intolerant of women.

Solution: The tech industry needs to “grow up.” Businesses and start-ups shouldn’t always be run like fraternities.

#17

Problem: Stereotypes of people in the technology, power struggle for letting women into this industry (patriarchy?), stereotype threat for women.

Solution: Begin changing the stereotype at an early age, allow women in tech fields to speak about their experiences, demonstrate flaws in the field.

#18

Problem: Women are not taken seriously in the tech industry and thus are stereotyped and placed judgment when they do hold careers in this industry.

Solution: Companies can be more willing ot allow women to hold higher positions and show that women in the industry are just as qualified to do the jobs and have the knowledge of men in the industry.

#19

Problem: People assume that technology simply isn’t the type of pursuit that women would be attracted to.

Solution: Raised female awareness/campaigns should be instituted in order to show and encourage women into the field of technology.

#20

Problem: Equality in the job market, stereotypes of people in tech

Solution: More women in tech positions, addressing major stereotypes of people in tech

#21

Problem: It is not the norm so whether women are portrayed as beautiful or in sweats, people will always find an issue with it or something to complain about. People always have conflict with change or anything that goes against societal norms.

Solution: I believe in order for women to be more widely accepted in tech they should be represented in various ways to encourage all types of women to be involved and, on the other hand, show men that women are capable of holding tech jobs as well.

#22

Problem: We have to make jobs in technology seem glamorous to attract more women into those fields.

Problem: I think we need to find a way to attract women to what the job actually is. I think the google ad was close (the one that was targeted towards attracting young girls). However, I don’t think the reality of some of these technology jobs/fields are the way they are being advertised.

#23

Problem: We think we have to make coding girly and attractive for women to be attracted to entering the field. That has nothing to do with the actual skills required and let alone leaving out what coding can achieve.

Solution: Computing should be introduced early in schools, at least discussions about how websites and all out technology that the kids use 24/7 is created. Then girls who are intrigued by that and will research what women in computing have done, not just pretty pictures of possible role models.